Space Heater Safety in the Office

While space heaters bring much-needed warmth to an office or cubicle, these devices are commonly to blame for workplace fires. Safety precautions can prevent the dangers associated with office space heaters.

Get Approval

First and foremost, employees should get approval from superiors to use portable space heaters in office environments. Many companies view space heaters as a liability, and have written policies forbidding the use of them. In addition, all workplace space heaters should be approved by a safety testing laboratory. Most commercial units are sold with this guarantee.

Place Properly

Often, fires started by space heaters are caused by combustible materials within the area. When using portable space heaters in the office, it is important to place the unit at least three feet away from papers, blankets, clothing and rugs to prevent the possibility of a fire. Many portable space heaters have an automatic turn-off in case the unit is knocked over.

Avoid Extension Cords

In most workplaces, surge protectors are used to provide power for electronics, computers and lamps. Extension cords are not typically rated to handle the power of a computer or portable space heater. It is wise to plug a space heater directly into a wall outlet or surge protector to prevent an electrical overload that may lead to a fire.

Inspect Units

One of the hazards of using a space heater in the workplace is faulty or old units. A commercially approved heater should come with a warranty or parts replacement manual to ensure the safety of the user; however, as the heater ages, it is the owner's responsibility to inspect the unit to ensure it is safe to use in a home or workplace. By inspecting knobs, lamps, heating units and electrical cords, users may identify any fire hazards before the fire happens.

References

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Electric Space Heaters
• Harvard University Environmental Health & Safety: Fire Safety